Correlation between response to progesterone and other functional parameters in human spermatozoa.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the proportion of human sperm that respond to progesterone and to determine their capacitation state.


METHODS
The sperm population was separated according to motility by means of a Percoll density gradient; three subpopulations of low, medium, and high motility were obtained.


METHODS
University-based laboratory.


METHODS
Sperm samples from healthy donors with normal spermatogram values were used.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
The percentage of viable spermatozoa that increased the intracellular [Ca2+]i in response to progesterone was determined with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). The percentage of capacitated spermatozoa was determined as the difference between with and without phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate stimulus according to fluorescence microscopy and the FACS methods.


RESULTS
A significant linear relationship between the proportion of motile cells and the percentage of sperm that increases the [Ca2+]i in response to progesterone was observed with or without previous phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment. The slope of the correlation equation corresponding to the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment was significantly lower. In addition, a significant correlation between capacitation and motility was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
It seems likely that the proportion of capacitated and progesterone-responding human sperm correlates with motility.
Giojalas
L C
LC
The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Isarel. Giojalas@famaf.uncor.edu
D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002469:Cell Separation; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012016:Reference Values; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000502:physiology; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
D011374:Progesterone; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; D002118:Calcium